This ultra-small apartment in Shanghai was snapped up just one day after being listed online, for nearly 1 million VND per month. (Photo: SCMP/Douyin)
The room measures less than 5m2 and is essentially a space beneath a staircase. It has a sleeping area with a toilet and sink at the far end, with the ceiling height varying depending on the slope of the stairs above.
“This is a dream home” , the real estate agent says in the video ad, suggesting that in Shanghai, this is the steal of a lifetime. He says the 300 yuan per month to “rent the whole space”, which includes a “bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room”, is a bargain.
The apartment was quickly rented out to a Didi (ride-sharing platform similar to Uber) driver, after the agent advertised it online.
In the video ad, the door opens onto a “living room” space that is just big enough for one person to stand up in. A wooden board acts as a wall, separating the room from the home next door.
“ It is even a small duplex, but be careful when you come home, the stairs are a little steep” , adds the agent.
There is a small cooking area to the left of the “living room”, complete with a window for ventilation. The agent suggests that if friends come to visit, the owner can cook dinner and they can all sit on the stairs to eat together.
The entrance to the room is beneath the stairs. (Photo: Douyin)
The bedroom and bathroom area to the right has no windows. The tenant has to sleep on the floor, with their feet towards the toilet which is right beside the bed. They will need to be careful not to get the bed wet when showering.
If the tenant wants to install air conditioning, the rent will go up by another 100 yuan (350,000 VND). However, that may not be necessary, as it would push the price up too high. These kinds of ultra-small apartments are most popular with young, blue-collar workers who are struggling to make ends meet in China’s tier-one cities.
According to Baisen Appraisal, a local property valuation agency, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Shanghai is over 5,134 yuan (around 18 million VND) per month.
Half of Shanghai’s population earns less than 6,000 yuan (21 million VND) per month. The average monthly salary for jobs like waiting staff, security guards and cashiers is just 3,500-5,000 yuan (12.2 – 17.5 million VND).
Usually, any room that rents for under 1,000 yuan (around 3.5 million VND) per month will be snapped up immediately, the agent revealed in an interview with Xinmin Evening Post , a local newspaper.
These kinds of “coffin apartments” are particularly popular with delivery drivers and Didi drivers.
The living area includes a bed set behind the toilet and a small stove for cooking. (Photo: Douyin)
The ultra-small apartment has become a trending topic on social media forums in China.
“I can’t imagine how hard the people living here must work, and how strong their hearts are”; “This is clearly just a bathroom with a kitchen”; “It’s actually not bad. I think it’s acceptable to go through this as long as I can earn money”, netizens commented.
